Liberal Government (1906-1914) and British Poverty

originally 1906, the British politicians still stood for the principles of Laissez faire- Individuals were solo responsible for their own lives and welfare. The authorities did non accept responsibility for the privation and hardship that existed among its citizens - and had not planned any complaisant reforms ready to implement when in cater. However, once the Liberals were in power it was clear reforms were needed on a large rank of social issues. One primary(prenominal) concern was national cleverness. During the Boer War the large levels of ill-health among the blue-collar recruits become clear to the brass, with to the high-pitchedest degree one and only(a) third of the soldiers enlist being rejected on medical grounds. Now in that location were worries that Britains population was not as fit or educated as her main(prenominal) competitors in the world. This was linked to other major issue confront by the Liberals; the extent of poverty in Edwardian Britain. Investigations by both Charles Booth and Seebohm Rowntree revealed that one third of the citys population was living in poverty rather than the iii percent that was previously believed to pertain the city. While Booth and Rowntree concord that some poverty was a result of the laziness and idleness of many individuals, much of it was caused by unemployment, sickness and old age. In an attempt to reduce the high percentage of people living in poverty in Britain Acts were passed to try and limit the get along of children being caught up by the poverty cycle. The Liberals also recognised that workers needed help from the government when faced with unemployment or illness. Finally, the Liberals as a government in power were the first to comment that elderly individuals suffered from poverty, and possibly the hardest, and so took steps in providing monetary support to the worst off. On the other hand, how effective the social reforms implemented by the Liberals send away be que stioned, although they covered a wide range of problems no(prenominal) ful...